In a landmark development for the Indian legal system, the Gurugram Police has successfully recovered and returned a significant portion of cheated money to a victim by auctioning the accused person’s property. The police handed over a check of 11.30 lakh rupees to a woman who had been defrauded of 24 lakh rupees by a former classmate. This move marks the first time in India that the police have used the new criminal laws to provide financial relief to a victim before the final trial verdict.
Details of the Fraud and Asset Seizure
The case involves a Jaipur-based photographer, identified as Dhruv Panwar, who cheated his former college friend by promising marriage and business investment opportunities. Investigations revealed that the accused used 14.50 lakh rupees of the stolen money to purchase a Volkswagen Virtus car. The police tracked the money trail and identified the vehicle as the primary asset purchased from the proceeds of the crime.
| Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Amount Defrauded | Approximately 24 Lakh Rupees |
| Recovered via Auction | 11.30 Lakh Rupees |
| Date of Payout | February 26, 2026 |
| Police Station | Sector-10A, Gurugram |
| Asset Auctioned | Volkswagen Virtus Car |
How the New Criminal Laws Helped the Victim
Under the previous legal framework, victims often waited for years for a trial to conclude before they could recover their lost funds. However, the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 allows the police to attach and sell property bought with crime money during the investigation phase. This ensures faster justice and financial recovery for the common person.
- Section 107 of BNSS: This specific law was invoked to seize and auction the car as proceeds of crime.
- Section 69 of BNS: The accused was charged for fraud under the pretext of marriage and deceit.
- Government e-Auction: The vehicle was sold transparently via the official Government e-Auction India portal.
- Ongoing Action: Gurugram Police are currently tracing other assets and freezing bank accounts to recover the remaining balance.
Official Statements on Victim Centric Justice
ACP Abhilaksh Joshi stated that the investigation confirmed the vehicle was bought entirely from the stolen funds. The police coordination with the District Magistrate and the city court ensured that the auction proceeds reached the victim quickly. Officials described this as a historic model for law enforcement, demonstrating how the new laws empower the police to provide immediate relief to those affected by financial and emotional fraud.
